Outdoor light mounting device

ABSTRACT

The specification and drawings disclose an apparatus for mounting a lamp shroud on the free end of a cylindrical support pole. The specific structure disclosed comprises a generally cylindrical housing, and an integrally-formed, laterallyextending shroud supporting member wherein a generally cylindrical shroud member is releasably connected to the laterally-extending shroud supporting member. The housing has a central, axially-extending bore, open at at least one end and sized to receive the free end of a cylindrical support pole. A shoulder is formed circumferentially about the interior wall of the housing, at a location spaced inwardly from the end and extending radially to a diameter less than the outer diameter of the support pole. The shoulder has a surface facing the open end of the housing and forms an obtuse angle with the interior wall of the axially-extending bore. Threadedly received within the housing and inclined relative to the axis of the axiallyextending bore, at a location between the shoulder and the open end, a plurality of clamp screw members function to align and tighten the housing to the support pole.

United States Patent [1 1 Richilano OUTDOOR LIGHT MOUNTING DEVICEVincent J. Richilano, Lakewood, Ohio [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Zephyr Industries, Inc., Cleveland,

Ohio

[22 Filed: Mar. 29, 1974 [21] App]. No: 456,042

[52] US. Cl 240/84; 240/25 [51] Int. Cl. F21S 1/10; F21S 3/10; F21S13/10 [58] Field of Search 240/25, 84

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,156,418 11/1964 Jablonskiet a]. 240/84 3,463,917 8/1969 Stockwell et a1. 240/25 X 3,678,2657/1972 Porter et a1 240/25 X Primary Examiner-Richard A. WintercornAttorney, Agent, or FirmFay & Sharpe [57] ABSTRACT The specification anddrawings disclose an apparatus 1 Sept. 2, 1975 for mounting a lampshroud on the free end of a cylindrical support pole. The specificstructure disclosed comprises a generally cylindrical housing, and anintegrally-formed, laterally-extending shroud supporting member whereina generally cylindrical shroud member is releasably connected to thelaterally-extending shroud supporting member. The housing has a central,axially-extending bore, open at at least one end and sized to receivethe free end of a cylindrical support pole. A shoulder is formedcircumferentially about the interior wall of the housing, at a locationspaced inwardly from the end and extending radially to a diameter lessthan the outer diameter of the support pole. The shoulder has a surfacefacing the open end of the housing and forms an obtuse angle with theinterior wall of the axially-extending bore. Threadedly received withinthe housing and inclined relative to the axis of the axially-extendingbore, at a location between the shoulder and the open end, a pluralityof clamp screw members function to align and tighten the housing to thesupport pole.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures OUTDOOR LIGHT MOUNTING DEVICE BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION The subject invention is directed toward the art oflighting devices; and, more particularly, to an improved mountingbracket and shroud for an outdoor or streetlight-type lamp.

The invention is especially suited and intended for use in supportingand protecting a self-contained conventional street lamp of the typecommonly used in parking lots or the like and will be described withparticular reference thereto; however, as will become apparent, theinvention could be used for many types of pole-mounted lamps.

Many types and styles of outdoor lamp fixtures are commerciallyavailable. Often, however, architects and designers are not satisfiedwith the commercially available styles and desire a custom fixture orlamp style to blend harmoniously with a particular building orstructure. Since the cost of custom lamps is generally quite high, it ispreferable in most instances to use a standard, commercially availablelamp and enclose it in a custom shroud. However, even a shroud alone canbe a difficult and expensive design matter. There are several reasonsfor this. For example, outdoor lights are subjected to a variety ofwind, snow and ice loads. These factors place the shroud and itsmounting bracket under high and unusual stress conditions. Also, thereare problems with connections between the support pole and the mountingbracket. Typical of these are alignment and resistance to twisting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The subject invention provides anarrangement which overcomes the above-discussed problems; Assembliesformed in accordance with the invention are extremely rugged inconstruction and easy to install.

In particular, according to one aspect of the invention, there isprovided an apparatus for mounting a lamp shroud on the upper or freeend of a generally cylindrical, vertically-extending support bolt.Preferably, the apparatus includes a cylindrical housing having acentral, axially-extending bore. The bore is open on at least one endand sized to relatively closely receive the free end of the pole. Ashroud supporting member is preferably formed integrally with thehousing and extends laterally therefrom for releasable connection to ashroud. Formed within the interior of the bore cir cumferentially aboutthe wall of the bore at a location spaced inwardly from the open end isa shoulder. The shoulder extends inwardly in the radial direction to adiameter less than the outer diameter of the pole. The shoulder includesa surface which generally faces the open end of the bore and forms anobtuse angle with the wall of the bore. A plurality of clamp screwmembers are threadedly received in the housing at a location between theshoulder and the open end. Each of the screw members have an end portionwhich extends through the interior wall of the bore. Additionally, theaxis of each screw member is inclined relative to the axis of the bore.The combination of the inclined shoulder face and the clamp screwmembers produces a centering of the housing on the pole, and further,tightening of the inclined screw members causes the housing to be pulleddown tightly on the end of the pole.

Preferably, and in accordance with a more limited aspect, the housingincludes a pair of diametrically opposed bolt receiving openings.Consequently, after the clamp screw members have been tightened, analigned hold can be formed through the pole and a bolt inserted topositively lock the housing to the pole.

Preferably, the housing and the shroud support member are formed as anintegral unit, such as by casting. Additionally, an opening is formedfrom the interior of the bore outwardly through the shroud supportingmember so that the required electrical wiring can be brought upwardlythrough the pole and laterally through the shroud support to a lampassembly mounted within the shroud.

Although the shroud could have a variety of specific configurations,according to one aspect of the invention, it comprises a weldmentstructure having a vertically-extending, generally cylindrical sidewall. The upper end is closed by a circular plate joined to the sidewalls and reinforced by gusset plates extending between the side walland the top wall. Also, a relatively small diameter opening is formedthrough the top wall so that a flow of cooling air can pass over thelamp assembly within the shroud.

Accordingly, the primary objectof the invention is the provision of anoutdoor lamp mounting bracket and shroud assembly which can be easilyand readily mounted at the free end of a vertically-extending supportpole.

Another object is the provision of an assembly of the type describedwherein the assembly is automatically centered on and locked to thesupport pole during the installation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects andadvantages will become apparent from the following description when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view showing a pole-mounted,

outdoor lamp and luminaire assembly formed in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the circled area of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view taken on line 44 of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring more particularly to thedrawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating apreferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose oflimiting same, FIG. 1 shows the overall arrangement of a lamp assembly10 arranged and mounted on a conventional, vertically-extending sup-Although the bracket or support member 14 could be made from manydifferent materials and could have many different configurations, it isshown as being formed from cast aluminum and including a generallyvertically-extending cylindrical portion 16 having a webbed,shroud-connecting portion 18 extending laterally therefrom. As noted,portion 16 is generally cylindrical and has an internal diameter D (seeFIG. 2A) sized so as to freely receivethe upper end of the cylin' dricalpole 12. For reasons which will hereafter be described, the diameter Dis preferably a substantial amount greater than the diameter of the poleon which the support is to be mounted. As a typical example, for a4-inch diameter pole the diameter D is preferably in the range of 4.2 to4.25 inches.

The means for locating the support bracket 14 on the pole 12 include aninternal shoulder 20 which extends circumferentially about the innerwall of cylindrical section 16. Preferably, the shoulder 20 has aninclined or somewhat conically-shaped lower wall 22. Additionally, thediameter D is preferably substantially less than the outer diameter ofthe pole 12. For example, for a 4-inch pole the preferred diameter wouldbe in the range of 3 to 3.25 inches. As is apparent, the inclined lowerwall 22 will act to axially center the cylindrical portion 16 on theupper end of the pole 12. The centering action is further enhanced byfour cone point set screws 26 which are located 90 apart about the lowerend of the cylindrical section 16. As shown, the casting is preferablyheavier about the lower end and suitable tapped openings 28 are providedfor set screws 26. Ad-

ditionally, it is preferred that the set screws be inclined at an anglein the range of approximately 30 to 60 relative to the axial center lineof the pole 12. This arrangement assures that upon tightening of the setscrews 26 to locate the bracket 14 on pole 12, the conically-shaped tips26a of the set screws 26 engage and tend to bite into the pole. Becauseof their inclination, they additionally tend to exert a force pullingthe bracket tightly down on the pole increasing the engagement betweenthe inclined wall 22 and the upper outer edge of the pole 12. Thisarrangement in itself provides a substantial mechanical connectionbetween the pole and the bracket. Additionally, however, the bracket isprovided with bosses 30 on diametrically opposite sides of cylindricalsection 16. Aligned openings 32 are formed through bosses 30. After theset screws 26 have been tightened, a hole 34 is drilled through theupper end of the pole 12 in alignment with the openings 32. Thereafter,a bolt 36 is inserted through the openings 32 and 34 to provide apositive rigid mechanical connection to hold the bracket 14 to the pole12.

The open upper end of the cylindrical portion 16 is preferably sealed bya cap member 40 which is locked to cylindrical section 16 in anysuitable manner such as through the use of one or more set screws 42. Ascan be appreciated, the design of the cap member 40 can vary so as toconstitute a decorative element if desired.

The laterally-extending bracket section 18 is, as previously mentioned,formed integrally with the cylindrical section 16. As shown', itincludes a central web 44 (see FIGS. 1 and 2A) which is positionedgenerally vertically. Three horizontally-extending web portions 46 48and 50 join the central web to a curved outer plate 52. A pipe or tube54 is welded circumferentially, at

thecast weld joint provided in the bracket generally at the juncturebetween the webs 44 and 48. An opening 56 (see FlGSz2 and 2A) providescommunication between the inside of cylindrical section 16 and tube 54.As can be appreciated, tube 54 serves as a mounting member for astandard lamp assembly 60'shown dotted in FIG. 2. Lamp assembly 60 formsno part of the subject invention and any conventional outdoor lampassembly could be used. The necessary wiring and the like for the lampassembly 16 can be brought vertically up the pole and through opening 56and tube 54.

The housing 15 is also preferably formed from aluminum. However, it is aweldment formed from fabricated aluminum plate and comprises a generallycylindrical side wall 62 and a flat, disc-like upper wall 64 which iswelded or otherwise positively joined to the upper edge of the side wall62. Additionally, an opening 66 is formed through the upper wall 64 toassure a flow of cooling air about the lamp assembly 60. This preventsa-buildup of heat within the housing.

As can be appreciated, the housing in normal use will be subjected tosubstantial wind loads, snow and ice loads, and the like. For thisreason, relatively heavy reinforcing plates 68 are located between theside wall 62 and the top wall 64 in themanner shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.Additionally, a heavy reinforcing plate 70 is welded between the twoleft brackets 68 (as viewed in FIG. 4). The entire housing is preferablyremovably connected to the support bracket 18 by a plurality of bolts72.

The invention has been described in great detail sufficient to enableone of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the same. Obviously,modifications and alterations of the preferred embodiment will occur toothers upon a reading and understanding of the specification and it isour intention to include all such modifications and alterations as partof our invention insofar as they come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

- What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for mounting a lamp shroud on the free end of a cylindricalsupport pole comprising: I

a generally cylindrical housing having a central, cy-

lindrical, axially-extending bore open at at least one end, said borebeing of a size to relatively closely receive the free end of saidcylindrical pole;

laterally-extending shroud supporting member formed integrally with saidhousing, shoulder formed circumferentially about the interior wall ofsaid bore at a location spaced inwardly from said open end and extendingradially to a diameter less than the outer diameter of said pole, saidshoulder having a surface facing said open end and forming an obtuseangle with the interior wall of said bore; plurality of clamp screwmembers threadedly received in said cylindrical housing at a locationbetween said shoulder and said open end, each said screw member having aconically shaped end portion extending through the interior wall of saidbore anddirectly engaging the outer surface of said cylindrical polewith the axis of each screw member being inclined relative to the axisof said bore in a direction to pull the housing axially onto the pole; iat least a pair of diametrically opposed bolt-receiving openings formedthrough said cylindrical housing between said shoulder and said openend; and, a bolt extending through said bolt receiving openings andpassing through the polereceived within said through said shroudsupporting member.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing and saidshroud supporting member are formed from a unitary aluminum casting.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a generally cylindricalshroud member releasably connected to said shroud supporting member.

1. Apparatus for mounting a lamp shroud on the free end of a cylindricalsupport pole comprising: a generally cylindrical housing having acentral, cylindrical, axially-extending bore open at at least one end,said bore being of a size to relatively closely receive the free end ofsaid cylindrical pole; a laterally-extending shroud supporting memberformed integrally with said housing; a shoulder formed circumferentiallyabout the interior wall of said bore at a location spaced inwardly fromsaid open end and extending radially to a diameter less than the outerdiameter of said pole, said shoulder having a surface facing said openend and forming an obtuse angle with the interior wall of said bore; aplurality of clamp screw members threadedly received in said cylindricalhousing at a location between said shoulder and said open end, each saidscrew member having a conically shaped end portion extending through theinterior wall of said bore and directly engaging the outer surface ofsaid cylindrical pole with the axis of each screw member being inclinedrelative to the axis of said bore in a direction to pull the housingaxially onto the pole; at least a pair of diametrically opposedbolt-receiving openings formed through said cylindrical housing betweensaid shoulder and said open end; and, a bolt extending through said boltreceiving openings and passing through the pole received within saidbore to provide positive locking engagement between said housing andsaid pole.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including at leastthree of said clamp screw members located at relatively uniformdistances apart circumferentially about said housing.
 3. The apparatusas defined in claim 1 including an opening extending from within saidbore outwardly through said shroud supporting member.
 4. The apparatusas defined in claim 1 wherein said housing and said shroud supportingmember are formed from a unitary aluminum casting.
 5. The apparatus asdefined in claim 1 including a generally cylindrical shroud memberreleasably connected to said shroud supporting member.